SB95C
The SB95C is Yeti’s brand new carbon version of the excellent SB95 full suspension 29er bike. I have tested the normal aluminum SB95 extensively, and this carbon frame is livelier, lighter, has better damping and resiliency, and the sculptured lines and aesthetics were knockouts. The bike will be sold as a frameset at $3200, and as three kits, the Enduro at $4700, the Race at $5800 and the tricked-out Pro for $8000.

The SB95C uses the Switch Technology dual-link suspension design, an eccentric lower pivot, that reverses its direction mid-stroke, to control the chainstay length, and offer a solid platform, good anti-squat capabilities, for optimal and efficient pedaling, with suspension independence throughout its travel. The numbering system of the SB series (SuperBike) corresponds to the wheel size and rear travel, so the SB95 has 29-inch wheels and 5 inches of travel.

The carbon frame has tapered inset headtubes, 12x142mm rear axle, direct mount front derailer and internally routed cables on the rear triangle. It has a 68.5º head angle with a 120mm fork and 67.2º with a 140mm, and 17.5-inch chainstay, and frame weighs 5.75 lbs, which is two lbs lighter than its aluminum brethren.

The new Smart Technology suspension is pretty amazing, making a superb meld between the Cross-Country and All Trail riding world. The SB95C big wheels offer great rollover, carving, cornering and spinning capabilities, and the addition of carbon makes for a lighter bike, with better damping and feel, and more playfulness and quickness.

SB95 Specs:

High modulus carbon fiber main frame and swing arm

Switch technology patent-pending suspension system

Fully sealed eccentric system

Oversized pivot pins with enduro max bearings

Splined bb shell accepts removable iscg 03/05 tabs

Tapered inset headtube (44mm/56mm)

Dropouts allow for 135mm qr wheel or 142mm x 12mm

Internal cable routing on rear triangle

Custom chain-slap guards

Cable stops for height adjustable seat post

Direct mount front derailleur

Travel – 5.00” (127mm)

Weight – 5.75 lbs (2.6 kg)

Sizes – small, medium, large, x-large

Colors – Turquoise, Black

ARC Carbon
The ARC Carbon, is Yeti’s new carbon hardtail bike, and it’s a thing of beauty, especially in the black color as shown above. Once Yeti had released their first 29er, the Big Top, back in 2010, they took the big wheel expertise along with 20 years of ARC racing to develop the new ARC Carbon. They kept the classic Yeti loop chainstays, and the use of carbon allowed them to create a frame that comes in at a feathery 2.6 lbs. In a unique geometry design for smaller riders, the extra-small and small will only be available in a 27.5″ size, while the medium, large and extra-large will be 29″. The bike will be sold as a frameset at $2000, and as three kits, the Enduro at $3400, the Race at $4400 and the tricked-out Pro for $6400. The bike should offer a stable ride, and the big wheels will fast-rolling, and the carbon frame will be smooth, responsive and well damped.

Brian likes to push the limits in all the sports he obsesses in, whether it's mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, skiing, or sport climbing. He takes those same strengths and a good dose of insanity to his reviewing and writing on mountain biking products, creating technical, in-depth articles. Whenever he's not on the bike, he might be found watching MotoGP racing, otherwise look for him out on the trail.